HP workers picket for a second day

Striking workers picket their colleagues

Some 200 HP employees and members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union have gone on strike for a second day today.

The strikers, who are based in the north and work for the Department of Work and Pensions, picketed their working colleagues throughout the day, according to national officer at the PCS, Jim Hanson.

“We were worried that some members would think that the two day strike was too long and that there would be a lower turnout, but we have been pleasantly surprised at the support,” said Hanson.

The union will decide on their next move following talks with the company due to take place at the end of the week.

HP issued the following statement: “We are disappointed to confirm that a number of employees have voted in favour of local industrial action on Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th March. An agreement was reached with the PCS’s negotiating team, brokered through ACAS on 22nd February, but this was subsequently rejected by the union’s membership.”

“In co-operation with our client(s) we have put together a plan to mitigate the impact of the two day action. We will continue to maintain a dialogue with the union in an attempt to avoid any further form of action.”